Weekend Extra: Stan Getz's Model Behavior

here may have been times—no, there were times—when Stan Getz worked overtime to be unpleasant. Zoot Sims had his reasons for describing Getz as “an interesting bunch of guys.” It is not likely that Sims had in mind moments like those in this video. Rifftides reader Jeff Chang sent a tip about a film Getz made in 1969 in France. It turns out that his quartet was engaged to play background music for a fashion show. If you think that was an unusual gig for a major musician still riding the wave of popularity generated by his bossa nova hits, watch Getz and see how you think he felt about it. Be patient, please; a printed announcement in French precedes the fun and games.

Getz’s quartet with pianist Stanley Cowell, bassist Miroslav Vitous and drummer Jack DeJohnette was a short-lived group. In 1969 they recorded one superb album for the discount label Laserlight. Thirty years later, Verve reissued it.